Lusodancer

Could I ask....Are you moving as a family to a specific country, to Germany for example hence interest in German schools because of work etc , or are your options open because it is a desire to move to Europe as a family? We had a five year plan to move and restart abroad, with houses and businesses to wrap up, but in the end we took 18 months start to finish. We haven't regretted it. How old is your DD now? Is there time to make a start on a language? Time to try a summer school if they are on this summer? Bear in mind mentoring within in the school, residences, travel between home base and the school for unaccompanied minors and accompaniment / provision to medical consultations . We had a few issues.

Does your daughter have an appitude for languages as well as dance, because she will have to take instruction and academic classes in the native language of the school? Senior school may offer international students tuition in English, but lower school will be in the native language especially if the school is linked to the state education system. So Maths, History, Sciences, Geography etc will all be offered in whatever language, English will be English as a second language. Home education is not always allowed, nor recomended considering the demands of a full time dance course and integrating study between dance classes. You have to be extremely academic or highly motivated to be maintain such discipline at aged 11.I know because my DD had to survive unsupervised study from aged 11 and she was fluent in the language having been raised through the local primary education system.Anyway, another school to add to the list above is the Escola de Dança de Conservatório Nacional, Lisbon but you would need to have Portuguese or be able to pick up very fast. The requirement for entry includes the passing of the 4th Year of Primary, ie an exit certificate from Primary Education with evidence of passing Portuguese and Maths. Not sure if they have ever taken a foreign year 10/11 year old not raised in PT( their year 5/ grade 1 Vaganova). Education would be free as it is a state run school, but the residence, equipment , uniform needs paying for. Entry is by audition in June. Lisbon is great city in which to grown up.

Please everyone take self isolation seriously and maybe we can control this spread. We in Portugal are in a State of Emergency, except for the last tourists left here, who still seem oblivious. We are still at a point of being able to count the threads of infection, so it is not as bad as might be, but that is why it has been declared....as a preventative measure. Online classes are springing up all over. Teachers in Portugal are setting online lessons daily in certain sites(don't ask me how, I am not that technical) and their pupils are joining them in real time and filming themselves back. It was Fathers Day yesterday, so the sons and daughters got their dads doing duets and pas de deux lifts. The films have raised a smile or two. Written homework and quizzes can be set. Games/ wordsearches invented. You teachers can maintain your contacts with your pupils, keep spirits up, entertain them for parents searching for quarantine activities, keep them fit, and the parents too. You will be all the more important in their lives now, not less. So don't lose heart. Reinvent classes. Choreograph funny dances. Teach new stuff. Plan a celebration show for when restrictions are lifted. Get mums sewing, teach the kids to sew and make props. On a personal note, Kanangra, I managed to get my youngest DD on a flight home two days ago, but my Musical D opted to stay in the UK, with the offer of going to a friends house, but she has international friends at the Conservatoire battening down the hatches in the student residence because they can't get home now. A friend in a vocational school opted to stay in their digs with a Spanish boy. Friends are going to become the new family in these extreme times. Look after yourselves and each other and keep positive but not dismissive of precautions. We have an expression circulating here, that sort of says 'If you stay away from me now, the quicker we will be together again/ or the closer we are'.

Portuguese schools are closing from Monday(announced tonight), though many will not send their children tomorrow and all indoor events with 1000 people and outdoor events with over 5000 are cancelled till April 3rd then governement review. But most authorities have closed all theatres, libraries, public government departments (archives, sports venues, swimming pools. council coach use, museums, monuments etc ). Doctors, health care workers , dentists being issued with special instructions to limit contagion . identify need and risk by telephone confirmation before the patient arrives at the surgery, organise plans of contingency, and only emergencies will be dealt with to minimise contact with none essential patients for at least a month. The object is to reduce as many social contacts as possible and control transmission. So most dance schools closing for 14 days till school hols start at least. All competitions and workshops cancelled or postponed . Performances and concerts are postponed regardless of the size of venue. The object is to place everyone in self imposed quarantine to limit spread before it goes exponential. So far we have 61 cases I think confirmed, and a few hundred being tested in a few pockets. Contacts have been identified and spread is easily seen between family members and associates. Whether the population heeds the advice remains to be seen. All the kids let off school in Lisbon headed to the beaches of Cascais yesterday. It looked like August . So close together. The government has even issued an edict that says anyone deliberating breaking quarantine that results in deliberate infection of another can get 5 years in prison and those found guilty by negligence can get up to 3 years! So dance school directors are not waiting for the government to tell them. We have high temperatures for this time of year already, 25-27 º C this week and dry and I believe as much as anyone knows that this may reduce the time the free virus can survive if exposed to this type of environment, but we do have an elderly population like Italy, albeit that they are generally rugged . But the message folks, is if you love your friends and family and students, don't wait for a government to tell you what's right to do.

I know from talking to various entities, parents, teachers, directors, that many headline vocational schools,national and international, sometimes do not consider involvement in competitions, even Priz and such like because of the interruption to their school schedule. To prepare a candidate to make a video entry first , let alone rehearse suficiently the variations required, means altering studio time or timetabled lessons for student, pianist, teacher and colleagues, or find mutually acceptable free time . Time and studios not being infinite even in the biggest schools. Futures for most of their graduates is assured by their name, so participation is not deemed essential. This excuse was frequently used at my DD's old school. Deadlines for videos were frequently missed because decisions and selections were not made early enough for who was chosen to go and with what variation. Instead of discussing at the end of the summer term and calling students back early or contacting them during the hols, opportunities were missed . The other excuse was that teachers could not be spared to accompany pupils to competitions. And of course there was absolutely no possible way of entering anything without their permission. So stage time was practically none existent . It is a little better now. I suggested years ago, and I was not alone, that they should prepare group entries in class work or repertoire class , instead of solos so that the maximum number could participate, and guess what... now my DD isn't there, they have done just that. I am pleased though for those that got a chance this year and I like to think that I helped to convince the board and teaching staff of the benefits . Long may it continue, because it is good for team building and morale. Independent schools however have a vested interest in projecting their students and these are frequently found on the competition circuit. One competition frequently leads to another invite. another scolarship , another gala performance, and many of these students end up with considerable stage experience and artistic confidence , which sometimes reveals itself alongside the technically clean but colder artistically vocational students. Even the very 'plane, train and automobile' , 'another suitcase in another hotel hall', another tutu in another changing room becomes an ordinary routine for the seasoned competition traveller and such professionalism becomes an advantage. It was the stark contrast between the old vocational school productions and the natural exuberance of competitions like Dance World Cup, that place perfomers like those of 'the Greatest Dancer' on stage, that convinced me that competition participation was beneficial as part of the learning experience even for vocational schools; chance to engage with others, chance to control the nerves to the big occasion, chance to grow into an artistic identity, chance to exchange ideas, experience cultural differences and a widening of artistic influences. I am sad to see that Varna has been postponed this year for lack of funding. I hope that it can be rescued in the future. Youth of America though continues to grow.

Pictures, please stay because your insight is so valuable to those starting out on the journey and because you have more information on the MT side of the dancing world. Besides we will be so pleased to hear of your DD and the future path. I find everyone's opinions illuminating and informative, not just us parents on Doing Dance but other pages of this forum. It is good to debate issues and perspectives in a constructive way as we all have something to contribute to the collective body of knowledge or to learn.

Hello Purple M, I know of another who has been offered the same or Italy, also 18 years old, so I will ask about their intention. My DD is thinking of Moscow and has an old friend going so they may tie up the same weeks together but leave from the EU. The other friend did St. Petersburg last year and DD did Italy. Mind you, Meetmeatthebarre's description makes Lugano sound appealing! It does seem sensible to join forces so let´s see who else out there is going where.

Yes Valentina , getting the video is worse! Finding someone with a good enough camera that picks up sound, having the studio free for long enough that picky teachers and students can mull over how best to demonstrate 10-15 minutes of barre , centre, allegro into a handfull of exercises with technical precision and artistic projection. Cutting it, Uploading it into the required format. Almost impossible to please everyone. We, or rather the DD, have rejected this option so many times for lack of the enthusiam to start.

I think if I remember the Russian teacher and the Serbian teacher at our old school required full visas to attend Dance World Cup ,Brighton 2013 and Jersey 2016, just to accompany the children, 7 days in all, but somewhere in the region of 3 months to organise and almost 600 euros each visa not including the costs of their visits to the consulate (travel costs, lost days work) for someone there to go....'yes that looks like you in your passport. Well , we'll let you know shortly'.And that was despite them being officially permanently resident (but not a citizen) in the EU. Can't see it being any easier now. Suggest you look at Gov. Uk , travel and visas section. It would depend if the individual had already been granted a visa /access for other masterclasses, events in the UK, so a polite enquiry as to their recent status with HM Borderforce and Immigration might help you decide. They might already be covered by an existing permit or know the proceedure if they have been top the UK before.

I have been following this thread too. As many have said ,the attitude of most musical theatre course colleges is very proactive in finding paid work fast and even through the courses. Many colleges have to finish early every December to allow for all the students appearing in panto, but at the end they can have almost a 90-95% success rate of placing graduates in some form of job within 6 months, which is very high.I know this from talking to students and college directors in the course of arranging competitions and festivals. I would love to see the figures from ballet/ contemporary schools in this regard... or maybe not, for fear of counting beautifully fit and elegant barristas instead. My DD has made a personal wish list of over 50 companies, some big, some small, across three continents. She does her homework, researching company history, artistic directors, artists, and repertoire. Her school frequently share international auditions, not just in house but to the wider dance community, from the various sources on Facebook and also attend international events at which some company directors can be found, with a view to the students being 'known' . We will probably prepare a portfolio of photos and videos for some companies afar, plan to include the Grande Audition , and continue to attend as many international events as possible. Some of her friends ahead of her in the process have given advice of how to do it, where to try and her travels have opened her eyes so she will be open to any offer. She will be one of the youngest and under 18 still when she finishes her diploma , so probably have to look at junior companies first. My DD will have her teaching diploma to fall back on and build on. She also has dual nationality with an EU passport. Let's continue this subject next January / February and maybe I will have more to offer . Right now , she is resting a lesion. so she is patiently suspending ambition. There are very many auditions published on a half dozen Facebook pages , popping up every day. Link into one and others sites pop up . I watch Ballet Auditions ....., Audi-ti.tions, Worldwide Dance Audition Platform...., Ballet Company Auditions for 2020-2021,Dance Auditions Europe and others. Interestingly it is the parents' generation (teachers, company officials) that use Facebook so if you are a user , you will see things that the youngsters don't see in Instagram. So pay attention folks. It gives you an idea of the ages and criteria of some companies. I am scouring them now to guage an idea of how much it will cost my purse to send her of a grand tour of European auditions! Some like Grande Audition have a number of companies attending, and there is an elimination round and a repertoire of variations in the final round. It is expensive but if 8 or 9 companies are present in the same place, then may be its worth it. Maybe we could start a feed here of potential openings? I am a firm believer that there is a company out there for everyone. It is just reaching far enough to find it. We have invested a lot in our DC's and whether we have help from schools or not in placements, this is the finally piece of the support/ encouragement that we can give.

Hello Oakley, The advice regarding distance learning is good. And you should line up contemporary lessons or attend strong contemporary summer schools courses and masterclasses.Investigate whose round you. Look for pop-ups. Off the top of my head, spend time and have fun with Rambert if they arrange anything, Rosie Price, Emily Charlton, and the other strong contemporary schools featured for example on The Greatest Dancer. So many great teachers out there. Try the Escola de Dança de Conservatorio Nacional, Lisbon, Easter or summer schools; Quorum Ballet summer school, Lisbon; Longiano, Italy, summer school; Elephant in the Black Box, Madrid; Brussels summer school. Look out for the Gaga Vocabulary workshops touring presently. Maybe look for courses that integrate a showcase at the end to do more ensemble work. Look up Move It and check out the contemporary classes there. The idea of a post grad year is also a good one. My daughter is now enrolled in the UK on a self funded vocational dance course that will include teaching methodology, so a double qualification and something to fall back on, but she is adding to that two A levels for now with a tutoring program attached to the school. She will be looking for company jobs soon and does not intend to do a post grad year even though she could convert it all to a degree now, as she hopes to do an academic degree later, for which she will reserve her Student Loans funding. The thing that may hinder her for company jobs will be her age as much as any thing. She will be finishing, company ready , barring injuries God willing, and yet still not have reached 18. Most of her old European colleagues that have been in specialist vocational training will be looking for jobs with just their sixth form qualifications and 8th Grade Vaganova level or similar, usually with no trouble. Those that have attended more past-time schools,but are interested in dance, normally go on to the degree course to improve technique there and develop choreographic skills or teaching skills. But there are many children being snapped up at 12, 13 for international vocational schools and doing their education in their home language and system; others integrate into the new school system if they have to. Many move around for months at a time to work with certain teachers in certain styles, and end up extremely versatile and independent. In my opinion this can give them an edge. If you stay independent, you could have this choice too. To pick up and move to spend time in interesting places working with different dance pedagogues. Something to talk about with your mentor, who knows what connections they have. There are just so many ways to achieve your goal, but that's just it. It is your goal and if you want it , you will find the way and work hard to succeed, because there is no short cut, but lots of choices. There is so much useful information from many people here with diverse experiences to be gleaned here. I find it fascinating as I am sure you do. So keep asking. Someone is bound to know the answer or where to look and probably have lots more names to add to the list above. Wishing you all the best.

Hello everyone, I notice someone recommended the National School in Lisbon... The Easter Intensive course at the Escola Artistica de Dança de Conservatório Nacional in Lisbon has been published this week , but is probably off kilter with most UK school holidays. It says 30th March to 3rd April, if anybody is interested. It is good, as is the summer course which normally falls the two weeks after their end of year performance, round the middle two weeks in July. There are some places available in the usual student residence(half board) .It depends upon how many students stay to do it. It is not directly connected to the school, but ask for details and they can provide the contacts or ask me via a message. But there are plenty of Airbnbs around the school. Of the other residential options for younger pupils, Kings International use the dorms, refectory and facilities of Rugby School for their summer school. Ballet, pas de deux, contemporary, jazz, commercial for six days with a final showcase in the theatre. There is an non-residential option. London courses and classes have been a struggle for my DD to attend as a minor, even with two older sisters living in London, who may or may not have room for her at any one moment. But my DD has enjoyed Danceworks and the Young Dancer course at London Ballet Masterclasses. DD is hoping for more foreign travels this year depending upon this year's scholarship options. Saving hard for airflights. Don't tell Greta please.

Well my DD required the same for her vocational course in the UK including a Vitamin D blood test, but we live abroad and here any child from 8 years old upwards to adults too who practises any sport in a federated club, football, sailing, gymnastics, judo, etc cannot compete unless they have a full medical. ECG, eye tests, chest X rays if necessary. The form is signed and stamped by a doctor after a thourough examination at the start of each school year in triplicate, one to federation, one to club and one for us . This costs 13, 00 euros or so but that way they hope to catch those rare heart conditions that leave an athlete dead on the pitch occsionally and other preventable conditions. So when we presented for our medical at the GPS's my DD got everything, ECG, full bloods including Vit D which she takes religiously in the UK, lacking exposure to the sun. All for less than 10.00 euros. So I would never stint on the medical. She repeats it every year, when she comes home in the holidays, and heights and weights are recorded to get a growth chart. Remember , should your DD ever end up at Varna , Prix de Lausanne or other such top flight competitions, you normally have to have a medical history to accompany the registration, injuries, and any other observations signed off by the family doctor. So do not just take your DC's to the doctor when ill , insist on 'health checks' not illnesses treatment. Medical teams should be an integral part of the training team.

That's interesting, but if you slow it down, can you not detect then a lowering of pitch, which is what I can often hear where speed is altered, like an old slipping record? My DD will often start to prepare a variation with a slow version, that may be over a competition time limit, then bring it up to speed with a different and faster recording. She recently found the wrong(slow) version had been uploaded for one competition and so found herself doing the variation in what now appeared to be 'slow motion'. Still it taught her to check for herself the version sent, and also to be adaptable from three notes into the performance! Anyway she got a very creditable mark so all ended well. It is interesting what skills we D's and M's of DC's learn along the way though.

Thanks for the encouragement, Pas de quatre. Yes we find Audacity quite easy. My DD has taught others to use it to trim for competion lengths and clean off applause.

I am only familiar with Audacity, but I only do simple cutting, front and back and splicing in the middle. Fading and such like, I haven't tried. So I , too,will also be interested in other suggestions. Sometimes it is a matter of having the time to learn how to use all the applications. We have the app but don't know how to make best use of it.

This is correct. The course structure is such that the qualifications offered are not eligible (yet?) for subsidised funding from DADA or other, but they do have a scholarship fund for both young men or young ladies . Course fees are less than some similar courses from what I have gleaned on this forum and other sources . It is still early days but a promising start.

Dear Lemongirl, How is you DD now? Have the antibiotics kicked in? I do hope so. Keep paying attention and ask the medics lots of questions. Don't take one opinion for granted. There are lots of examples above of different circumstances , healing times and results that should let you realise that case is perculiar to its self. In Portuguese 'cada caso é um caso'. Each case is a case. Thinking of you and your DD

You don't want to kill enthusiasm with tiredness and the risk of injury will increase . And the 40 minute radius is probably good advice too not just for her but you too. Patience . Use holiday intensives, maybe, for extra input and fun. Work smart not hard.

I have. I have also broken two wrists separately. All doing sports. But as an adult.I am also an amatuer violinist so my ability to play at the same level was affected by the two wrist breaks. I have lost some extreme rotation required for playing high on the finger board on the lowest string and fine bowing. I am a dentist so I have some knowledge of how bones heal. All I can say is allow a full 6 months for full calcification before loading heavily. My healing process made me adjust my working practices as a dental surgeon with a view to placing implants and loading them with crowns or bridges. My colleagues may chose to place crowns at 4 months, but I will load only after 6 months. After a break we have connective tissue organisation and then immature bone forms after approximately 4 weeks. Bone cells turn over about every 6 weeks, so plaster or boots are removed about this time but the patient feels much more fragile in those first few weeks after losing support.At about 4 months bone is reasonably dense, but my personal experience is that I was still feeling that strange internal itching sensation of changes occuring up to 6 months, hence my approach to implants in my patients.I did not 'feel' fully recovered till 6 months at least. Physiotherapy is essential when advised and indeed recuperation is helped by flexing and relaxing muscles inside the boot to maintain muscle mass and flexibility before it is even off. Young people may recover sooner and with growth hormone bone cell turn over will be a little faster. However unless your orthopod has also suffered such breaks, he may know the medical theory and physiology, but cannot speak from personal experience as to what it 'feels' like . Please advise patience to your dd. She can support her school in other ways if she wishes, backstage, costume prep, music cuttting, social media publicity, poster design.....lots more to learn and also welcome help for the teachers. Silver linings and all that.

Hi Derin's Mom and Boys-Can-Dance , Did you consider the Escola de Dança de Conservatório Nacional in Lisbon? It is Vaganova based for ballet. Strong in contemporary too. It is a Ministry of Education run school and costs are supported by the state for students that enter the academic school program . Fees are payable by students unable to study in Portuguese. Most European students join the state education system, regardless of home language, and students coming from Asian origins joining the senior school often do not, but are taught English and Portuguese. My DD was one of the first students to be accepted into the Residencia for under 16's. There are other residences in Lisbon that accept over 16's. The Residencia is run by a community of a religious order that originally housed single girls coming to study at Lisbon University. As numbers fell, the school took in the students from the dance school including young men and they can accommodate aproximately 12- 16 girls and 12 young men on different floors and in shared rooms, with shared bathroom and kitchen area. There is a study area and a TV lounge and dining room. It is half board, a metro ride from the school in a calm neighbourhood. The youngest students are 10(my DD was 11 and 4 days when she started) and up to final year aged 18. A certain independence is required with regard to laundry and school homework. There is no one to supervise this.Towels, linen, kitchen stuff are all included and everyone has the same. Just turn up with dance stuff and street stuff and Bob's your uncle. The mix in the residence can be Portuguese, French, Italians, Ukranians, Japanese, Brazilians, Chinese, Taiwanese. The course is from 1-5 th grade (school year 5 for Portugal aged 10 _ Year 9 14/15yrs ), 6th to 8th grade.( years 10- 12) So for example, Derrin's mum your DD would be entering year 10 next September, I think ,if she is 14 now, so that would be Vaganova grade 6 level . This is very different from the UK educational break at year 11and two sixth form years 12 and 13. So when she swapped to the UK she had completed her Level 2 qualifications in Portugal and then went onto start A levels at aged 15. It's an audition to enter, of course, in June though some come through competition wins I suspect. Assessments are made yearly, but the 'special' cases are after Grade 2/ 6 º ano, the end of 'middle school' in Portugal, and then grade 5/year 9.. the third 'ciclo' of Portugal. An access exam is necesssary to get from the basic course to the Curso Secundario grades 6-8,years 10-12. It is necessary to achieve a grade of 4/ 5 for either Ballet or Contemporary to move on.Many were 'assessed out' and numerous places became available for incoming students, usually international rather than local. My DD passed but opted to pursue her studies eleswhere. Lisbon is a great city. Not called the city of light for nothing. Lots of history and culture. And safe and friendly. Just off the top of my head, there may be 5 places at least coming up this summer if I have counted the finalists correctly. Other than this Pallco in Porto accepts overseas students. Not sure about host families or residences. Another great city and a good school.Also attached to the Min of Ed system. And there are others. And then there is the Conservatorio International de Annarella Sanchez in Leiria. This is Cuban methodology and the results are outstanding. A quick search online will show you the depth here. Host families or apartments are arranged for the international students depending upon age and experience of independence. If students are passing through for a few weeks or months, one siolution will be found, if staying for longer then they will help find another. My DD was offered a place here too, but when they said to relax they would find a place,my husband didn't quite believe it (and she went to Lisbon), until she did a summer school and true to their word a school member opened up her house to her and another student. All sorts of nationalities arrive in Leiria and are welcomed. A way of seeing for yourself is to explore any of the intensive courses that these schools do in the holidays. There are so many from which to pick. Hope this information is useful to some of you reading these posts.

Remember, remember! The 5th of November, Grande jeté, tour en l'air, and pirouette... For parents of DC's currently looking, in this audition season or for the future ,for a small vocational school with a personalized approach to career development , I would recommend spending time at the Open Day at Kings International Ballet Academy in Barwell, Leicestershire on the 5th November. Yes, it is a school day, but when as parents we are blessed with a talented child and have important life choices to make for our children, usually no effort is too great and absences from school should be accepted for such purposes. The school offers a three year full time post- 16 diploma course for serious students aiming at company admission but including ARBTA teaching qualifications, but has extended its range to include earlier years for vocational students switching between institutions for whatever reason and post grads looking for structured classes and pre-audition preparations . My DD now a second year student has not regretted the move to this school from her previous vocational school. Extra activities include international competitions, summer schools, company work and stagecraft and production , end of year showcase and so much more. The diploma students are expected to spend some Saturdays teaching the pre-voational students as part of the course. There is a good balance between the necessary steady technical development of ballet, contemporary, character dance, jazz, commercial and other general stagecraft and the chances to express artistically in performance. My DD's previous stage time was significantly restricted within her old vocational school compared to the old local school and consequently she became very closed and conditioned to remain aloof. Now I have seen her blossom and relax into roles. Now she does not 'mark' a role, she dances. Now she does not move in monochrome but dances in technicolour. Academic tuition is available with an excellent home schooling service and pupils are encouraged to take up this, though OU enrollment is also used by some pupils. Younger pupils have a special timetable that allows for more academic study and a reduced physical component. Senior pupils will spend evenings or Sundays in study, so for the self motivated pupil with clearly defined artistic goals and serious long term plans this is a calm and supportive community united in acheiving their individual aims but helping each other to keep focused. Most students are living independently and rented accommodation is a fraction of London prices. My DD lives with a host family. There are two half -fee scholarships awarded yearly by two of the patrons for the duration of the full-time course , one for a young lady and one for a young man. Not every school fits every pupil and sometimes we are afraid to change the thing we know, and I see numerous posts here from parents wondering what choices to make. Worries about being 'assessed out' , and such. Lord knows, I have lost enough nights’ sleep for the last 6 years over all of this. I sleep better now even though my DD is over a 1200 miles away because I have a happy, busy DD , surrounded by affirmative mentors. So keep searching for solutions and a good home for your DC.It's tough and we the parents need as much courage as our DC's to let them fly the coop, but have a look at Kings International Ballet Academy too, when you consider the smaller independent schools. Yes it is early days but the confident progress I have seen in the first entrants in the first twelve months of the school is astounding. I am sure the best is yet to come.

We can't mind if Rory doesn't 'get' ballet, not everyone does, just so long as he is prepared to fund it and any other arts and culture whether as Mayor of London or any other position. Just give arts the money, we'll do the rest.

At Easter my DD did two days out of three of Dance Forward , the second day with Sarah Lamb, and a few days at the Intensive at the Escola de Dança de Conservatorio Nacional of Lisbon. For the summer, my DD did Longiano in Danza, close to Rimini with some colleagues from Kings International. That was interesting. Beautiful town, safe for the hundred or so children of several nations. International teachers. Dorm style accommodation in the local hotel. My 15 year old has been travelling alone for so many years as a vocational student, initially living 250 miles away from home, now 1500 miles and a flight away, that such opportunities present no problem for us as parents. (The Verona Intensive always appeals but we can never fit it in. I might turn up to that one myself...if only to hold the tracksuit tops, well, no, not really , I would probably be sightseeing.) My DD was impressed by seeing so much Checchetti up close. The director of La Scala and his pupils were there, so the standard was very high. Then she returned for Ballet Cymru , which she thoroughly loved. However turning up here, the hotels and Student Village recommended by the organisers did not accept under 18's unaccompanied so this caused last minute hitch whilst we tried to find an alternative for a 15 year old and a 17 year old. Such is the paranoia over chaperoning now, it appears you can fly across Europe and be welcomed, homed and fed by local Italian hotels only to be turned down in the UK on the grounds of child safety. It is' safer' for a hotel chain, with contracted staff, fire regulations, locks on doors, CCTV to refuse young unaccompanied adults and turn them away leaving them to find an unmeasured Airbnb host! As it happened the Airbnb host willing to take them was delightful and even turned up to see them perform at the showcase at the end of the week. All's well that end's well. Teaching and classes were great though. Lots of pas de deux for the senior workshop plus end of week showcase. Company dancers helped the course run and gave a gravitas to the content, but the atmosphere was very friendly. After this she did Kings, which of course has residential and non-residential options . The course covers a variety of disciplines and leads to preparation of a piece of repertoire and other works for the end of the week performance. International teachers. Excellent course structure , definitely an intensive and facilites with evening fun activities. The last workshop she tried was the London Ballet Masterclasses . She and her friend had to stay with friends of ours on the edge of London and commute in as we could not risk the hotel turning them away again. The problem is that hotel booking sites accept bookings where over 12's are sometimes classed as adults. but then won't accept them as guests. The girls enjoyed this course as well and would be trying to return here if possible. Then she rested...

The Companhia Nacional de Bailado in Lisbon used to offer cheap tickets 5€ to the students of the national dance school so my DD used to attend regularly with friends or with me . This is a way of making the future dancers more aware of the end product they are intended to crerate, a special discount from our major companies for the network of vocational schools... An invitation to company class and reheasrsals... Live screening is great now but we need to increase the network of theatres and cinemas that partake of the program. How ? By asking repeatedly of the local film house when they will start? Mine charges a bit more than a normal film ticket and lays on wine or champagne in the intervals to turn into a night at the ballet or opera and produces a program, in two languages. Booking is essential because the theatre is full . However there are still many students who do not connect classwork with performance and teachers who produce technical robots not expressive dancers, and vocational schools who dance in black, white and shades of grey and lack the colours of the rainbow in their performances, the pzazz, the sparkle. And why ...because they don't study the greats,whether dancer or choreographer, the diverse, the history, the developments, and its all there to be discovered live or on Youtube. There was a lovely quote from William Waldinger of the Joffrey where he mentions this very point, that the best dancers are not those that learn in the studio only, but those that look beyond to all forms of knowledge and insight. Never stopping, never resting to find that spark that will aid interpretation of a role. My DD wants to read Dom Quixote in order to understand better the story, now that she has Anna Karenina, the Lady of the Camelias and so many more under her belt.